High Hedges

Complaints

If you are the owner or occupier of a residential property affected by a high hedge you can make a complaint to us.

Before we can deal with your complaint, we need to be sure that:

  • the hedge is covered by legislation 
  • that you have exhausted all other ways to sort out the problem yourself

You should have spoken to your neighbour about the problem the hedge is causing you. If this has not worked, you can contact a mediation service to try to sort out the matter.

We cannot deal with your complaint unless:

  • you can show that you have tried to resolve matters with your neighbour before involving us
  • there is a record of what you have done

Advice on steps you can take to negotiate with your neighbour is in the ‘Over the garden hedge’ document. Approaching us should be a last resort, and you can complain about a hedge if:

  • it is growing on land owned by someone else
  • it is acting to some degree as a barrier to light or access
  • the hedge, or the part which is causing problems, is made up of a line of 2 or more trees or shrubs
  • the hedge is mostly evergreen or semi-evergreen
  • it is more than 2 metres tall
  • even though there might be gaps in the foliage or between the trees or shrubs, the hedge is still capable of obstructing light or views

You cannot complain about root activity, for example subsidence, blocking of drains.

How to make a complaint

Fill in the high hedge complaint form. Use the high hedge notes document to help you fill in the form. More information is in the High hedges : complaining to the Council document.

How much it costs

The fee for making a complaint is £525.00. We can't accept a complaint without the correct fee.

Next steps

We'll gather all the information needed to help us make a decision, this includes writing to those involved and visiting the site.

In most cases, we won't carry out consultation with other neighours and residents' associations. Once we have all the information, we weigh it up and make a decision. There is no time limit for us to make a decision.

Appeals

An appeal can be made by:

  • the owner of the land on which the hedge is situated 
  • the person making the complaint

An appeal must be made within 28 days of the notice being served. The remedial notice would be suspended whilst the appeal is being decided. Appeals will be dealt with by the Planning Inspectorate on behalf of the Secretary of State.

Read High Hedges : appealing against the Council's decision for more information.

If any action is needed

We may issue a remedial notice to the person responsible for the hedge. This sets out what must be done and by when.

This can include long-term maintenance of the hedge at a lower height. It can't involve reducing the height of the hedge below two metres, or its removal. The hedge owner can go further than the remedial notice requires. The remedial notice becomes a charge on the property which passes to any further owners.

Time limits for carrying out the works

The time limit for carrying out works will be given in the remedial notice. It will need to give the hedge owner time to find a contractor if necessary and arrange for the works to be done. It is recommended that hedge cutting does not take place between March and August. This is to protect nesting birds.

If works aren't carried out

Failure to carry out the works is an offence. The owner of the hedge could be prosecuted and if found guilty, in a Magistrates Court, could be fined up to £1000. We can enter land and carry out works needed by a remedial notice and we can recover any expenses from the hedge owner.